Judge's panel, public voice to name 67th Miss New Hampshire

He probably knows as much about sequins and Spanx as he does sports after being invited back for a sixth year to co-host the 67th Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Competition, set to run Thursday through Saturday, April 25-27, at Stockbridge Theatre at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, the event's organizers said.

WMUR-TV Sports Director Jamie Staton and Miss New Hampshire 2012 Megan Lyman will co-host the event, which spotlights 28 young women from across the state. The winner will receive $10,000 in scholarships, represent the state at ceremonial functions and at the Miss America competition in Atlantic City in September.

The public will be given the chance to vote for two contestants they would like to see included among the semi-finalists and possibly become Miss New Hampshire 2013. Votes can be cast online at missnh.org or facebook.com/MissNH.

A panel of five judges will determine the 10 contestants who earn the greatest number of points in the five phases of preliminary competition: Private Interview, Lifestyle & Fitness in Swimsuit, Evening Wear, Talent and On-Stage Question competitions. The two contestants gathering the largest number of public votes will join them for a Top 12 at the start of the final show on Saturday, April 27. (Voting closed April 23) If a contestant earning the largest number of votes through the public voting is among the 10 earning a place as a result of the panel's, then the contestant receiving the next largest number of points from the judges will be added to the list of semifinalists.

Tickets to $10 to the preliminary competitions at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Cost to attend the final round on Saturday at 6 p.m. ranges from $20 to $50.

Tickets to next weekend's competition can be purchased at the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program Office, 20 East Broadway, second floor, Derry or by calling 347-9027.